Sen. Dziedzic applauds Gov. Walz for executive orders to address evictions and to help small businesses

SAINT
PAUL – Today, Governor Tim Walz signed several important Executive Orders. Sen.
Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) applauds his actions to protect renters, homeowners,
and small business owners during the Peacetime Emergency. These protections
include protection from evictions and foreclosures and establishing the
Peacetime Emergency Loan program.

“Having
safe and stable housing is critical, not only during this time, but going
forward,” Sen. Dziedzic said. “As Minnesotans
are told to stay inside their homes to slow the spread of this
virus and keep people safe, eviction notices could complicate our
efforts. This important Executive Order 20-14 will suspend eviction proceedings
during the COVID-19 emergency. Without this order, some of the state’s most
vulnerable people could lose the homes – and that is not in the best interest
of public health and public safety.”

The
order says tenants who can continue to pay rent during the peacetime emergency
should continue to do so, but landlords and financial institutions cannot begin
eviction proceedings that would remove tenants from their homes.

Governor
Walz also signed Executive Order 20-15 today that authorizes the Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to establish a Small
Business Emergency Loan program for small businesses affected by the COVID-19
pandemic.

“I
receive calls and emails every day from small businesses who are forced to shut
their doors and have no source of income. These small businesses are really
suffering from the pandemic, and I’m afraid many of them will not survive the
economic hardship of closing down,” Sen. Dziedzic said. “Our local small
businesses to having access to an emergency loan program to help them pay their
bills and get them through this terrible time could make all the difference in
the world in helping them open their doors back up once we are past this pandemic.”